Wow,almost 10 years Kevin you have been gone. It's hard to even get my head around that sometimes You have been on my mind today, of course, its your birthday. I am thankful that I can think of you, remember fond memories, and even miss you without the pain that we carried for so many years. I do believe I will never stop missing you, especially on this day. We all carry you in our hearts little brother and I believe I always will. Xoxoxo

My darling brother, I have survived your birthday again—-the 6th one without you. I have many happy memories, but the second of May is always a challenge for me. Today I thought of your last birthday before you so unexpectedly died. You were remodeling a house in west side Santa Cruz. I showed up at your work and surprised you with a cake. Your co-workers and I sang happy birthday to you. I remember I had a “newish” phone and was trying to take photos of you blowing your candles out. I was annoyed with myself for accidentally having the phone setting on video record. Little did I know in that moment how valuable those few seconds of recording would become to me. I love you and miss you as much as ever—-but it doesn’t hurt as much as it used to. XO

Dear Kevin,
I miss you. I miss your smiling face and warm embrace. My heart weeps for your Sisters whenever they miss you and long to have you with them.

Hey Kev, it's amazing how much I still think of you, especially around your birthday. I miss you so much, I think all of us do, we just talk about it less. I realize more with each passing year the effect you had on our lives and that presence is what I miss. It's like a guiding beacon that is missing from my life. I love you very much, think of you often and really miss you on this day especially. Your birthday. Love forever my little brother! Xoxoxoxox

Hey Kev, thought about you all day yesterday and really missed you. We just had a wonderful week in Tahoe, a place you use to love. The boats, the water, your daughter, all made me think of you off and on the whole week. It feels like we are all making progress and beginning to live life more fully, but yesterday it didn't feel that way. I am also grieving for my cat Guinness so maybe it all got mixed in together. Regardless, you will always be loved and missed deeply. I continue to be inspired by you to feel gratitude, appreciate what we do have, express love,and keep my heart open. I love you little bro!

"Hi Kevin, I just realized on this Monday, 7/27/15, it has been 3 years since you passed. I want you to know that even though I've gone on with my life, there isn't a day that goes by that you are not in my thoughts. I will always love you, and treasure you every day of my life. You are so special."

My precious brother, another year has passed. Your presence is missed as much as ever. You are never far from our thoughts. We just had a wonderful all-girls week in Tahoe celebrating Kacie's 60th, but I imagine, were you still with us, that you would have been the only male invited. I still have a huge hole in my heart from your loss, however, I am getting better at "living" my life and being able to feel grateful for what I do have. I love you my little brother, and always will. XO

Happy Birthday my darling brother. What I wouldn't give for one of your wonderful bear hugs--you always made me feel so safe. Today we spread your ashes and celebrate you and how amazing you were. I will love and cherish you always, and never forget all those unique, admirable qualities of love, kindness, gentleness, generosity, forgiveness, honesty and love you expressed toward your family that made you an inspiration to us all. XO

My Darling Brother, we made it through the day. Erin, her fiance (also named Kevin), and I sat around the dining table last night doing Zentangle and thinking about you---we created art in your honor. Erin made a delicious dinner--you would have really appreciated it. The night before we went to the beach, had a picnic, and set a lantern into the sky to celebrate you (and your awesomeness!). Bonnie was there with her boyfriend David, Erin, Kevin, Courtney, Chris, and I. We had a beautiful fire, and sent you our love. We are still broken, but our family bonds are as strong as ever, and we are healing---each in our own way. Always and forever with love, Lorraine XO

2 years and still not a day goes by, my friend; you would be so happy- as a matter of fact, I'm thinkin' you have something to do with all this work! Doh!

Kevin, your birthday will always be a day to be grateful for having had you in my life; a day to remember the unique and special person you were; a day to honor and value those wonderful caring, forgiving, non-judgmental attributes you had that I continue to strive for. Diane, Leslie, Erin, her fiancé (Kevin), Dave and I celebrated you and all the love we still feel for you.

Dear Kevin, today is your birthday, and you are especially in my thoughts today. I think of you so much still, but at least the memories are not as painful. You still inspire me constantly, I only wish you were still in our lives. When I cook foods you love or have a wine I think you might like, you always come to mind and probably always will. We miss you so much and now your daughter is getting married and I know how much you would want to walk her down the Isle . She's so amazing and I know you'd be so proud of her. You will be in our thoughts, we know you would like him Kevin. I love you bro, and miss you more than I can even express! Say hi to mom and dad! Xoxo

Dear Kevin,
A year has come and gone and I miss you terribly. You were an exceptional man, I can describe you with every adjective I could mouth. Life is very empty without you, your beautiful smile, your loving heart, and your wonderful personality. My ability to move forward is possible by remembering all our wonderful times. I am blessed to have met you and began a life. XOXO Di

Happy birthday, son of gold and silver.

Ach, my friend, how bittersweet to wish you a happy birthday. As I drive around from job to job past and present, you are everywhere. From all the boys, we think of you constantly. I hope you are watching and helping us.

Happy Birthday Kevin! I can only wish we were together. Birthdays were very special in our life together, and yours is today as well. I do not need your birthday to miss you, I do every day. Life is a daily struggle without you, I just keep marching forward and have faith to keep going.. You are and always will be my beautiful man.

My baby brother, it is your birthday today. How I miss your infectious laughter; your strong solid hugs; your kind, gentle nature; your love of life; seeing what you could create with your big, strong, but gentle hands; and the joy you brought to the lives you touched. Today I celebrate the wonderful gift of having had you for a brother. I love you Kevin---always have, and always will.

Hey Little Bro, can't believe your birthday is just days away and that you are not here. I am thinking about you so much and just wonder if there will ever be a day when I don't miss you as much as I do now. It hurts and I try to remember you wouldn't want us to be sad forever, so trying to move forward a bit each day. You inspire me daily. I love you and miss you!

Dear Kevin, Your 52nd birthday is approaching soon and I still am in
such disbelief you will not be here to celebrate with me. I have a beautiful picture of you and I, on my desk, it continues to help me
through my day. I love you very much Kevin and hope you are in a beautiful place.

Today's date marks five months since your passing and I am feeling
extremely sad. Thank God Christmas has come and gone, I will treasure the memories of our last Christmas together in Santa Cruz in 2011. My heart is still broken Kevin, without you it doesn't seem it will ever heal. As we always expressed, "Sweetie" I love you!!!

Dear Kevin, It is already the week of Thanksgiving and not a day goes by, that I think of you, cry for you and talk to you, I just hope you
can hear me. My memories of our wonderful celebrations are helping me through this time.  I miss you with all my heart, I miss seeing your beautiful face and smile. I love you Kevin.

Kevin, when the thought that I'll never see you again crosses my mind, I feel sick. I'm nauseous, my head aches and I feel so desperate. I would do anything to bring you back to us. Sometimes I didn't feel like you were really part of my family, but now I don't know how to go on being a family without you. Every little thing I took for granted now feels gargantuan, what a fool I've been.

Kevin, it's been some 43 years or so since I first met you, my little cousin from California. You were only about 8 years old at the time, but I remember even then you were such a happy go lucky, very outgoing guy. I wish we could have spent more time together over the years, but life is like that sometimes. We'll see each other again I'm sure.

"My sweetheart Kevin, I still cannot believe, the unimagineable happened, and you are no longer with me. My sadness is deep, you are the love of my life and my very best friend. I wish I could thank you
for all you've taught me, I will try and conduct my life as you would, like
you were whispering in my ear." I love you.

Still think about you every day Kev. Wish I had been able to speak at your service. Felt like nothing I could say would do you justice. Instead I listened to everyone sharing their stories, and let the weigh of the loss, the joy in the sharing, and the love that we all had for you, just wash over me. I pray that you had at least an idea of how deeply you were loved and how we will miss you

One of the kindest most genuine humans. He was nothing but good to our family and treated our little girls like his own. He always had a smile on his face and we will forever remember his spirit! Thank you for all of the laughs and delicious BBQs. We love you and you will forever be missed!!!! XOXO, THE HARDYS...Buckley too.

Ah, Kev-Kev, Every afternoon I feel this huge emptiness and sadness; I have realized that it is because not only have I lost you, but I've lost our ten conversations a day about everything important in our lives. How can that be replaced? I'll be thinking of you every day for a long time, my friend. You are all around me, and a piece of you is in everything we have built together.

My Dear Christie Family, There are far too many memories for me to post, however I will never forget your kindness Kev. Thank you for being our best man. What a fine memory. The boat, the celebration! Pure joy. The dinners at our home, and youre's. Thank you for always welcoming me. I will miss your barbecued chicken! Cheers to a wonderful Man. I will never forget you... Much Love Jaci

To my best friend of 24 years, and husband for many. Kevin was by far the most amazing human being I have had the honor to know and call my friend. You were the dad you didn't have to be and I will love you forever for that my friend. So many years of memories and stories that I am blessed to have.
Via Con Dios my friend and I will see you on the other side.

i will miss you kev-kev. you were a wonderful, gentle, and giving son, father, brother, friend and craftsman. thanks for the coffee, for bringing your mom around; for helping my folks, for saving the kitten and the yellow v. deli, beef v. pork debates. you lived with gusto, you loved with gusto and you will always be remembered with humor, smiles and gratitude. vaya con dios brother. xo.

Oh Lil' Brother, words can not express how much I love you and will miss you. I will miss your sweet smile, sense of humor, your loving and gentle ways. You were a gift to this family that was taken away too soon. I can not fathom my life without you in it. I promise to try to be a better person, to be more like you. Until we meet again, take care of Chivas for me. I'll see you later.

The grief I feel from your premature departure is a poignant reminder of how special you are to me Kevin: from our first Hotwheels connection to our momentary greetings at family reunions, you were always generous and loving. 

Your passing is a reminder of how precious life is.

Thank you Kev, for inspiring me to live life large, to be fully present with a clear and open heart,

To Kevin...To the Brother I never had but always wanted! Kevin, you were a great inspiration to me I learned a lot from you. The way you never got mad, never lost your energy for life, the way you dealt with life in general...You treated my sister with love and kindness and for that I love you. Kevin, I want to thank you for the time you gave to me - See ya on the other side.

Kevin was an incredible human being. He and my aunt became an amazing team over the past years. My family and I are so blessed to have known him, learned from him, and laughed with him. He would give the shirt off his back to help a friend, even a stranger in need. He left this world too soon, but he reminds me to always be gracious, appreciative, and kind.

My friend Kevin,
Where is the little boy who loved hanging out with my son, David Bottomley. He helped bake cookies, went to the beach with our family, Bear Valley ski trips, and having spaghetti with the family. As a grown man going to A's games and San Jose State football games.
Miss you,  Merlene Bottomley

"My dear, sweet Kevin, you brought so much joy and happiness to my
life. I cannot imagine my life without you. With tremendous sadness and a broken heart, I will try to face one day at a time. I llove you with
all my heart and will miss you for the rest of my life."

What a gentle giant of a man! His love, compassion and generosity with my nephew, Marcus, and his love for Diane touched me deeply. I am so sad that we only got to share one meal together.
I send my sincere condolences to Kevin's family and Diane. Know you are the lucky ones to have known such loving spirit.

Oh my brother, I am having such a hard time accepting you're gone when you had so much to live for. Trying so hard to focus on what an amazing man you were, so kind, compassionate, loving, supportive, and so positive, and to let that inspire me to be more like you, appreciate life, find joy in everyday wonders, but I can't just yet. I'm trying. I love and miss you.

My most precious brother, my heart is broken. You were such an important part of our family I can't imagine how we will cope without you. I love you with all my heart and I believe that you knew that. I am so grateful for the last five years, and especially most recently the two weeks you spent with me (& our sisters) taking care of Mom. You will forever be an inspiration to me. XO

My uncle was pure good, something of which I often feel quite the opposite. In my life, I've found that I sometimes subconsciously seek to destroy people full of light. But my uncle could not be extinguished, not even in death. He will forever touch the lives of those who knew him, even me. I loved you Kevin, and I'm sorry I never said it.